<p>I'm a transfer student, and my decision has come down to Oberlin and NYU. I'm looking for some insight as to which school might be a better choice. I'd be studying American Studies, creative writing and studio art at either school. I feel that Oberlin has stronger American Studies and undergraduate writing than NYU, and the pricetag is much easier on the eyes, but I'm scared of being stuck in the middle of Ohio. Furthermore, I'm nervous about homogeniety in the student body.</p>
<p>Any insight would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Well, it depends on just what you men by homogeneity. You can find statistics by sex, race, geographic origin, religion and family income at <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/instres/temp/databook/%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/instres/temp/databook/</a></p>
<p>Ideologically, the place is rather liberal, but also mostly tolerant of a wide range of viewpoints and beliefs.</p>
<p>If you are used to city life and do not have a car, it can start to seem a bit small. Do not believe the image of the college sitting in the middle of a cornfield, however. There is a lot to do on campus and enough of a small town to provide the basics. If you positively need a 24-hour Starbucks and lots of things going on outside of school at all times, then Oberlin may not be for you.</p>
<p>Funny I kind of think of their student bodies as being somewhat similar. Well except for Stern that is.</p>
<p>These two schools present a rather stark contrast. On the one hand you have Oberlin, a liberal arts college of under 3,000 students which is in a very small town out in the -exurbs, I'd guess you'd say. Which out of necessity has developed a very vibrant on-campus life.</p>
<p>On the other hand you have NYU, which is huge- the country's largest private university, I believe. With everything that means in terms of class sizes, TAs, bureaucracy, etc. In the greatest, huge city. But with no campus life whatsoever. Even its dorms are scattered across the city and not all near campus.</p>
<p>As a transfer, I think theoretically you'd have a better chance of meeting people and establishing a social life at Oberlin. NYU can be quite anonymous. Plus, whatever the relative deficiencies are in life outside campus, you'd only have to endure them for two years, not four years.</p>
<p>But reasonable people can make different decisions about this. NYC is great.</p>